Open it up

My wife and I made a trip to the city yesterday to get some things in downtown (including a trunkful of Swedish goodies from Ikea).

The only practical way to travel around here is the interstate, so, with much reluctancy, we took the SWing on its first 40+ miles trip, with 2 riders at 75+ MPH (anything slower is a risk on the highways around here as it seems nobody does less than 20+MPH above the posted speed limit... maniacs!)

The Swing does, in my opinion, just OK at those speeds with 2 up; trying to keep up with a couple of HD proved hard to do at least, and a hopeless intent at the most.

I realized that 600cc in a scooter is not the same as the same 600cc in a 4-cyl Honda Hornet (my previous 2-wheels). It may be because is a 2-cyl, I don't know for sure.

On the way back, I decided to open it up and let it suffer a bit on the long inclines on the highway, going up to 75 ~ 80 MPH. The result was that the engine sounds happier now and it feels more responsive. (Just like the family felt the Audi after a good trip on the Autobahn at 260 Km/h)

I guess all engines need to be opened up every so often; just like a bit of exercise always does good to us.

I do business in Atlanta on occasion and I do not envy the task of driving anything on those interstates, much less a cycle.

I agree with you about letting the engine loose every once in a while. These engines are designed for high rev applications so it has to be good for it to hit that top end and really get the juices flowing(both the engines and the riders).

alejom wrote:

The only practical way to travel around here is the interstate, so, with much reluctancy, we took the SWing on its first 40+ miles trip, with 2 riders at 75+ MPH (anything slower is a risk on the highways around here as it seems nobody does less than 20+MPH above the posted speed limit... maniacs!)

"Did you ever notice, that anyone going slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?"
-----George Carlin

I'm not completely sure if it is a good or a bad thing that I did not see one single "idiot" on the road that day.

To the people that travel slower than me, I usually call them tourists.

Still, there were none.

Methinks I may be an 'idiot'.

I overtook a work colleague on the way back from work yesterday. opened the 'Wing' up to just over 70 in a 50 zone and quickly dropped down the notified limit.

However!!!!!

Just as I opened the throttle, Mr Motor Bike cop was approaching in the other lane!!! He gave me such a stare. I felt the stare more than saw it as we passed each other.

I think my commute tonight may be more sedate. (It will kill me but I will conform, I will TRY to conform!!!! ). Honest I will.

: Waspie/
It really isn't that awful riding at the legal limits,honestly.
50yrs and no penalty points. If you think I ride slowly ask Tarmacburner2
he,s ridden with me, fast but always within the legal limit:lol:

I've never gotten any 2-wheel tickets either.

I did get pulled over on a cycle in Virginia once because my license plate had fallen off and I put it in my backpack. When I pulled it out and showed him and told him it had just fallen off 15 minutes ago he said "I could give you a ticket for improper display, but I'll just let you off with a warning."

Jeez, don't do me any favors!